The exodus of Californians to lower cost states continues as the state passes yet more taxes, lamenting some of the architectural treasures lost in the 24th Street Widening Project and remembering an old bar on the Panorama Bluffs

* ... GOODBYE CAL: Is California running people and businesses out of the state with higher taxes and regulations? Diane Alburger thinks so and she dropped me this note: "I have lived in Cali since 1977. Gone to college here, gotten married here, raised my kids here, and made a career here

(teaching). Now, its spring break and I'm writing to you from the breakfast table of the Westin in Scottsdale. We're in Arizona scouting our retirement locations because we want to leave Cali. Both my brothers and their spouses, and my parents are also scouting out Arizona. Filled up the gas tank last night for $2.14 a gallon which we thought was great. Turns out, if we apply for a Circle K debit card, we can save an additional 20 cents a gallon and pay $1.94. Take that, Jerry Brown!"

 * ... 24TH STREET: Debby Rodigues wrote about the city's attempt to sell some of the vacant homes on 24th Street that will soon be razed. She said: "Referencing today's note on the homes south of 24th, and there being no interest by anyone to purchase and move them. Sadly, all the city regulations, requirements, and large monetary deposits, in addition to the short time frame between one opportunity to do a walk thru in a boarded up house with no electricity, and the final bid date made it impossible to pursue  bidding and moving  any of them. So the salvage value is all that is left of these formerly handsome homes. At least one has some interesting history as the home of a local pioneer telephone system, as well as the solid wood doors, frames, cabinets. Unfortunate situation."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "The downside of dating intelligent women is having to Google what they call you when it ends badly."

* ... GOOD FORM: Hats off to a crew from the Kern Wheelman Bicycle Club who pitched in to help repair a water line on a property off Amberhill Lane on the Poso Grade this past week. Keith and Monica Anderson, who own property along the road, were kind enough to run a water line from their property to the roadside so cyclists could access fresh cold water on long, hot days. The line needed repairing the the Wheelmen pitched in to have it repaired. Good from all around.

 * ... EATERY: Here is a shout out to the downtown farm to table business that regularly serves up nutritious meals at reasonable prices. From Lois Caswell: "You may have talked about this place before but I am out of town a lot. My daughter and I had lunch at Locale (Farm to Table) today. It is across from the downtown post office. Previously a deli and the old deli sign is still up. Amazing, locally sourced food. Good prices and incredible quality. We spoke to the owner, Heather Laganelli, and she has wonderful ideas for the place.We will be back, as there are several items we would like to try."

* ... MEMORIES: Michael Hutson responded to the query about an old bar that once stood at Panorma and River Boulevard. "I grew up in the La Cresta area during the 1960s and 1970s. We used to walk from La Cresta Drive, (through Greenlawan cemetary) up to the liquor store for candy.  The store was owned by Ray Hanning, named Hanning’s Liquor. There was a gas station on that corner of Panorama and River Boulevard but I don’t recall a bar being there.  I’ll be curious as to the response from your readers.

 * ... LOFT: Yet another reader, Rhaya Lemons, thought the bar was called "The Bluffs."

Bako Bits: Kern Wheelmen New Year's Day ride attracts 150 riders, bad form on the bike path and another First Friday

 * ... NEW YEAR'S RIDE: Hats off to the Kern Wheelmen bicycle club for hosting the annual New Years Day ride up Round Mountain. More than 150 riders showed up for the annual trek up the mountain. Most of these folks are not hard core cyclists but rather regular people with a passion for cycling and staying in shape. It was a spectacular sight and inspiring to see all these people get a
healthy start on the new year. Among those I spotted were local tennis pro Hank Pfister, retired endodontist Bob Smith, local racer Tyler Williams, Carl Crawford, Kim Keathley, Pete Elieff, Greg Walker, Zane Adamo, Rob Baker, Robin Ablin, the entire Brown Monkeys cycling team and many more.

 * ... BIKE PATH: And speaking of cycling, shame on the middle aged woman who was walking her dog on the bike path near the RiverWalk amphitheater when she unloaded verbal obscenities on a cyclist who politely asked her to pull in her dog leash. The woman was walking on the far right (which is correct) but her small dog was on the other side of the yellow line on its leash, a recipe for disaster for the dog, the woman and a rider. When asked to pull in the leash, she unleashed a vulgar assault that should not be repeated.

 * ... FIRST FRIDAY: If you don't already have plans, it's worth a trip downtown to take in the monthly First Friday celebrations. A show worth catching is an exhibit at The Metro Galleries featuring the stunning paintings by Pasadena (and former Bakersfield resident) artist Faith Taylor.

 * … BAD FORM: From a reader: "Saturday morning at Costco there are two children in full-blown pajamas. The parents also are in full blown pajamas, slippers and all. How did they get in the door ? Do they realize what can be transferred from pajamas to food? Maybe we need new signs that read 'No PJs'  and tank tops .... no service!"

* … MANNERS: Betsy Gosling wrote to weigh on on the issue of proper etiquette for rooting at youth sports games. "Recently a woman wrote to you indicating she thought it was 'poor taste'  for a parent, for example to yell to the pitcher to strike out the batter.  I've thought about those comments and wanted to respond. If that pitcher was my son or grandson, I would be yelling for him to do his job and strike out the batter.  If the batter were my son or grandson, I'd be yelling for him to hit a home run. That's not criticism as she suggested. That's encouraging the person to do the very best they can do.  Their job was to play baseball at that moment in time. I believe these boys were about 12 years old. If they haven't learned to handle criticism, even constructive criticism, and not let it bother them, this is a good opportunity for them, in playing sports. It's a cruel world out there; in case, anyone hasn't noticed.  We need to teach our children to the best of our ability how to handle successes and failures. They shouldn't be treated like "princesses" during their young life; what a shock that  will be for them when they grow up and find out a person has to work and work hard to succeed in life. Sports is a great area to help parents teach these important lessons, boy or girls, team or individual sports."

Eight Condors spotted in downtown Bakersfield; an omen of good things to come?

* ... RESOLUTIONS: So did you dust off those New Year's resolutions yet? It's never too late to set some goals but don't forget to include charities on your list. Here's what Jayne Hotchkiss of Walker Basin has in mind. "I'm choosing the local ASPCA on Gilmore Street," she said.  "I figure humans can find help if they want it, but animals can't. Through the years I have taken in abandoned dogs, cats and  even horses that would have ended up in an auction. This will be a commitment to other animals that don't live at my ranch! I hope others follow."

 * ...  THE LIST: So what is on your list for giving this year? My list includes the pediatric care unit at Memorial Hospital, the Kern County YMCA, the local SPCA, Covenant Community Services located at 1700 North Chester Avenue and the History Department at my alma mater, Georgia Southern University.

 * ... GOOD OMEN: My downtown neighbor Keith Barnden awoke Sunday to spot what appeared to be eight California condors perched atop two tall pine trees across the street from his house. "I was shocked to look out my upstairs window to see these magnificent birds sitting there," he told me. Considering there are only about 400 known to exist, I'm taking that as an omen of good things to come in 2012. (file photo)

 * ... NEW YEAR'S RIDE: Almost 120 cyclists showed up at Beach Park for the annual New Year's Day ride up Round Mountain, where Kern Wheelmen volunteers were waiting with food and water. Too many people to name but among those I spotted were Danny Kaukola, Richard Picarelli, Greg Riggins, Jim Pappe, Kyle Lacey, Robin Ablin, Bob Smith, Greg Walker, Pete Elieff, Rogers Brandon, Kim Barker, Jack Skaggs, Hank and Patty Pfister, Brent and Cindy Bonetti, Mike Marotta, Anthony Finocchiaro, Carl Crawford, Scott Garrison, Joe Peterson, Tom Morgan, Zane Adamo, Zach Griffin, Frank Lobre, the aforementioned Keith Barnden and so many more.

* ... SPOTTED: When it comes to litter, I am never surprised by the ability of people to disappoint you. Consider this note from  Kim Bean, president of Ultra Star Industries: "Yesterday my husband and I were at the Heart Hospital visiting a family member. We were sitting in our vehicle in the parking lot when we noticed a woman getting into her newer model cream colored Audi sedan. Before driving off, she opened her door and deposited her litter which included a banana peel, a water bottle and other bits of garbage. My husband and I volunteered  five months last summer at El Capitan State Beach. Our primary duty was to pick up trash, and and we are simply amazed at how much people litter, especially here in Bakersfield. Now we notice the trash everywhere."

* ... CAVEAT EMPTOR? : Retired endodontist Dr. Robert Smith dropped me a note about some really bad customer service at the new "Sully's" Chevron gas station over off Buena Vista and Ming Avenue in Seven Oaks. The sign out front advertized $3.59 a gallon for regular gas using cash or a credit card. "So I pull up to the pump, swipe my Mastercard and the price-gallon on the pump reads $3.69 a gallon!" He cancels the sale, goes inside to tell the clerk of the mistake and "she says no, the $3.59 is for cash sale. I say, au contraire, take a look and sho'nuf, she takes a look and the sign is flashing $3.59 a gallon for both cash and credit sales. "The clerk apologizes but then says' the gal who is in charge of that is off for a couple of days so, too bad.'" Dr  Smith eventually took his business elsewhere.  "Make sure the pump price jives with the advertized price!" he said.